But no matter what happens in the second Test, both Hughes and Warner look likely to step aside for the upcoming Test series opener against India in Melbourne with Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh returning from injury.

Hughes arrived at the crease as cricket's dead man walking after just 32 runs from his last four innings at an average of eight.

His impressive 88 against South Africa in Johannesburg last month must have seemed like a distant memory.

Four slips and two gullies rubbed their hands as the man who had Hughes caught behind in the last three innings - Martin - ran in.

No wonder - Hughes had been caught behind the stumps in 20 of his last 30 innings.

And in seven of Hughes' past nine innings, he has not faced more than 22 balls.

As a result, Hughes was so intent on leaving the ball in the first over he even shouldered arms to a leg side delivery.

Hughes began to re-build his shattered confidence by cover-driving Test debutant Trent Boult and bogey man Martin for four.

Warner also had some scares - he survived a loud lbw shout before almost playing on, both off Tim Southee.

Their opening stand is easily their best - they had produced previous partnerships of three, 11 and seven.

Warner reeled in his Twenty20 instincts but still scored at a fair clip - his innings included eight fours.

It was also a confidence-building knock for Warner - his Test career to date consisted of scores of three, 12 not out and 15.

Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out by lunch for 226.

They lost 7-87 in the morning session - starting from the third ball of the day when Peter Siddle had Kane Williamson (34) caught behind, ending a 66-run stand with Ross Taylor (56).

Best of the bowlers were Siddle (3-66) and James Pattinson (3-54) while spinner Nathan Lyon had 3-25.